Arrangement for the illumination of objects placed underneath or on shelves

ABSTRACT

This is a device for effecting illumination of objects located underneath or upon shelves. A construction comprising light source along the rear edge of the hollow shelf directs light through the shelf between its upper and lower members and this shelf has a reflector on its front edge for directing the light downwardly toward the books or objects located on a bottom shelf so that their titles can be easily read.

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SHEET 20F 2 Ill l lw C) k J z I NVIZN 'IOILJ The invention relates to an arrangement for the illumination of objects such as books, placed underneath or on shelves.

The illumination of objects placed on shelves, e.g. books, is generally provided by light sources mounted apart from and normally above the shelves. In consequence, the light intensity tends to be strongest on the upper shelves and weakest on the lower shelves, thus impeding perception of the objects displayed, in particular the reading of titles of the backs of the books. In addition, the permanent siting of the light sources apart from the shelves and normally in the ceiling impedes repositioning of the shelves, as the intensity and direction of the light would thereby be altered, resulting in shaded areas and reduced light on the displayed objects. Particularly in modern library layout, which is currently undergoing explosive development, the demand for flexibility is an absolute necessity. Furthermore, location of the light sources apart from and usually at a certain distance above the shelves necessitates a fairly high light intensity in order to render, for example, book titles legible on the lower shelves.

When the illumination of shelves is effected by means of fluorescent lamps mounted along and underneath the front edge of a book shelf, the danger of the spectator being dazzled arises, and the large number of light sources necessitated by this arrangement results in disadvantages in utilization and economy.

It is the object of the invention to provide an arrangement of the character described for the illumination of objects placed underneath or on shelves, such as books, with the advantage that a completely uniform and shadowless illumination of each shelf is obtained so that all the shelves in one case or cabinet shall receive the same amount oflight; and, in the case of twosided cabinets, to utilize each individual light source for the illumination of two opposite shelves; and furthermore, to attain a high degree of flexibility in regard to the furnishing of a room, each cabinet containing all the light sources necessary for its complete illumination; and to obtain a nondazzle illumination; and finally, as a result of the low light intensities required, to obtain economical illumination.

These and other aims and advantages are attained by an arrangement which includes characteristics as shown and described hereafter:

l. The light source is sited along the rear edge of the shelf and thus built into it so that the hollow shelf surrounds and shields the light source, as set forth below.

2. the shelf is constructed in the form of a hollow cassette or consists of two parallel sheets of which the upper one is both supporting and shading in function and the lower one mainly solely shading in function.

3. The reflector is positioned along the front edge of the hollow shelf with its longitudinal axis parallel to the front edge and so arranged that it reflects the light issuing from the light source and passing through the hollow shelf arrangement downwards and upwards respectively onto the objects placed beneath or on the shelf.

By placing the light source in the middle of a two-sided bookcase or cabinet so that it functions as a common light source for two opposite shelves positioned at the same height,

one attains emanation of light from one and the same source to both sides of the shelf, resulting in better utilization of the light source and of the electrical circuit and, in the event of fluorescent light being used, of the ballasts for the lamps.

By making the shelves hollow one also achieves conduction of the greatest possible amount of light onto the objects to be illuminated, while simultaneously attaining nondazzle illumination because the reflector described above positioned along the front edge of the shelf, will reflect a directionally controlled beam of light onto the displayed objects such as the backs of books.

When the surfaces of the inner sides of the hollow shelf are coated with a highly reflective material, the maximum amount of light will reach the reflector and be reflected.

By positioning the reflector along the front edge of the shelf and facing the cavity of the shelf, the shaded and directed beam of light is directed towards the objects displayed underneath and on the shelf, thereby obviating dazzling of the spectator. An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the FIG. 2 being an in-part enlarged and more detailed view taken from FIG. 1. Each of FIGS. I and 2 are more fully described below.

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a two-sided shelf arrangement according to the invention with a total number of six shelves of each side. Light source 1 is positioned in the middle between hollow shelves 2, along the front edge of which reflector 3 is positioned. The ballasts 4 which the use of fluorescent light sources necessitates are installed in one of the structural members which comprise the structural frame supporting the shelves.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view according to the invention and shows in part a detail of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1. As in FIG. 1, light source 1 is positioned in the middle between hollow shelves 2 along the front edge of which reflector 3 is positioned. Light source 1 is a fluorescent lamp mounted between two detachable cover plates which allow a flow of air to pass the fluorescent lamp on both sides thus cooling it, and permitting easy change of the lamp.

The lower part of shelf 2 has been bent so as to allow a book support to be mounted there.

The form of the invention shown comprises a two-sided case or cabinet. There is nothing in the invention that prevents the construction of one-sided cabinets or two-sided cabinets with the opposing shelves positioned at different heights. in these events, each shelf reqUires its own separate light source.

Having thus described the invention, there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters of Patent:

1. An arrangement for the illumination of objects placed on a shelf, consisting of the combination of a shelf and a light source, located along the rear edge of the shelf, said shelf being a hollow structure and substantially surrounds and shades the light source, the shelf consisting essentially of two parallel sheets of which the upper one is mainly both supporting and shading in function and the lower one is mainly solely shading in function, and said shelf being provided with a reflector positioned along the front edge of the hollow twosheeted shelf with its longitudinal axis parallel to the front edge and so arranged that the reflector reflects the light issuing from the light source and passing through the hollow shelf arrangement downwards and upwards respectively onto said objects.

2. Arrangement for the illumination of objects as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source is a fluorescent lamp.

3. Arrangement for the illumination of objects as set forth in claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the sides of the hollow shelf are coated with a highly reflective material.

4. Arrangement for the illumination of objects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reflector is acrylic.

5. Arrangement for the illumination ofobjects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reflector is made of anodized aluminum.

6. Arrangement for the illumination of objects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said light source is mounted in the middle of a two-sided case or cabinet, allowing it to emanate light simultaneously through two opposite shelves positioned at the same height.

7. Arrangement for the illumination of objects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reflector is constructed as a prism.

8. An arrangement according to claim 1, in which the light source in an incandescent lamp.

9. An arrangement according to claim 1, in which the light source is a halogen lamp.

10. An arrangement according to claim 1, in which said reflector is glass.

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1. An arrangement for the illumination of objects placed on a shelf, consisting of the combination of a shelf and a light source, located along the rear edge of the shelf, said shelf being a hollow structure and substantially surrounds and shades the light source, the shelf consisting essentially of two parallel sheets of which the upper one is mainly both supporting and shading in function and the lower one is mainly solely shading in function, and said shelf being provided with a reflector positioned along the front edge of the hollow twosheeted shelf with its longitudinal axis parallel to the front edge and so arranged that the reflector reflects the light issuing from the light source and passing through the hollow shelf arrangement downwards and upwards respectively onto said objects.
 2. Arrangement for the illumination of objects as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source Is a fluorescent lamp.
 3. Arrangement for the illumination of objects as set forth in claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the sides of the hollow shelf are coated with a highly reflective material.
 4. Arrangement for the illumination of objects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reflector is acrylic.
 5. Arrangement for the illumination of objects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reflector is made of anodized aluminum.
 6. Arrangement for the illumination of objects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said light source is mounted in the middle of a two-sided case or cabinet, allowing it to emanate light simultaneously through two opposite shelves positioned at the same height.
 7. Arrangement for the illumination of objects as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reflector is constructed as a prism.
 8. An arrangement according to claim 1, in which the light source in an incandescent lamp.
 9. An arrangement according to claim 1, in which the light source is a halogen lamp.
 10. An arrangement according to claim 1, in which said reflector is glass. 